Gareth Elliott posted the highest overall and MAAC winning percentage of any coach in program history

Jan. 21, 2013

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena College Men's Soccer Head Coach Gareth Elliott has accepted the head coaching position at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island. The 2012 Anaconda Sports MAAC Coach of the Year, Elliott posted a 42-40-9 (.511) record in five seasons at Siena including a 24-14-5 (.616) record in the MAAC.

"The Siena community wishes Coach Elliott the best in his new endeavor," said Director of Athletics John D'Argenio. "Our men's soccer program showed very good improvement on the field, in the classroom and in the community under Gareth's leadership the past five years. We are committed to finding the right person to continue the great work Gareth has done."

Elliott guided the Saints to 10-win seasons in both 2010 and again last season, tying for the second most wins in program history. Last fall, Siena posted a 10-7 overall record and 6-1 mark in the MAAC with their .857 conference winning percentage marking the program's best ever.

Elliott, who holds the best overall and conference winning percentage in program history, guided the Saints to four MAAC Tournament Appearances in his five years including a pair of 7-2 conference records, both program bests. Under his leadership, Elliott developed the first two MAAC Offensive Players of the Year in program history in Emery Welshman (2010) and Sindre Ek (2012).

Siena posted a .500 or better overall record in four of five years under Elliott and in 2011 earned its first-ever wins over nationally ranked opponents in 15th ranked Ohio State and No. 16 Iona.

During his time in Loudonville, Elliott also mentored the first three student athletes in program history who went on to play professionally. Steve Covino and Joey Tavernese inked pro contracts in 2011 and Nick Viaggio began his professional career last year.

Elliott's teams also had tremendous success in the classroom. This fall Siena earned an NSCAA Team Academic Award after posting the 12th highest team GPA amongst all Division I program (3.38) and set a program record with 10 student athletes being named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. Additionally, last fall senior captain Jannis Opalka became the first student athlete in program history to be named one of just 30 candidates nationally for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award.

A native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Elliott starred at striker at Rhode Island from 1998-01 where he was a three-time Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team selection. He later returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach from 2003-07 where he helped guide the Rams to three Atlantic 10 Championships and three NCAA Tournament Appearances.